The Daughter of an Empress eBook

“I am in my right!” morosely answered
Stephano. “Here is the command to attach
this villa. It has fallen to the Russian crown
as the property of the traitor Rasczinsky.”

“There is only the one error to be corrected,”
said Joseph Ribas, “that this villa was not
the property of Count Rasczinsky, as he some months
ago sold it to his friend, my master. And as,
so far as I know, the illustrious count, my master,
never was a traitor, you will please to respect his
property!”

“You will have first to authenticate your assertions!”
responded Stephano, with a rude laugh.

“Here is the documental authentication!”
said Joseph Ribas, handing a paper to Stephano.
The latter, after attentively reading the documents,
bowed reverentially, and said: “Sir, it
appears that I was certainly mistaken. This deed
of gift is en regle, and is undersigned by his
grace the Russian ambassador. You will pardon
me, as I only acted according to my orders.”

Joseph Ribas answered Stephano’s reverential
bow with a haughty nod. “Go,” said
he, “take off the seals in the quickest possible
time, and then away with you!”

But as Stephano was about retiring with his people,
Joseph Ribas beckoned him back again.

“You have, therefore, recognized this deed of
gift?” asked he, and as Stephano assented, he
continued: “You therefore cannot deny that
my master is the undisputed possessor of this villa,
and can do with it according to his pleasure?”

“I do not deny it at all!” growled Stephano.

Joseph Ribas then drew forth another paper, which
he also handed Stephano. “You will also
recognize this deed of gift to be regular and legal!
It is likewise undersigned and authenticated by our
ambassador.”

Stephano, having attentively read it, almost indignantly
said:

“It is all right. But the count is crazy,
to give away so fine a property!”

And still grumbling, he departed with his people.

Clinging to Marianne’s side, Natalie had observed
the whole proceeding with silent wonder; and, with
the astonishment of innocence and inexperience, she
comprehended nothing of the whole scene, nor was a
suspicion awakened in her childishly pure soul.

“Yes, he is going,” said Joseph Ribas,
“and will never venture to disturb you again.
Henceforth you will be in undisputed possession of
your property. My lord has made this villa and
garden forever yours by a regular legal deed of gift.”

“And who is your lord?” asked Natalie.
“Tell me his name—­tell me where I
may find him, that I may return him my thanks?”

“Yes, conduct us to him,” said the weeping
Marianne. “Let me clasp his feet and implore
his further protection for my poor helpless princess.”

“My lord desires no thanks,” proudly responded
Ribas. “He does good for his own sake,
and protects innocence because that is the duty of
every knight and nobleman.”